Hi Everyone!
Thank you very much for visiting Radiant Courage LLC. I imagine that, as a curious person, you may be wondering what my motives are for creating a courage coaching business (and what the hell "courage coaching means, haha). In this post, I'll give ya some details about my life, why I decided to be a coach, and how I envision my service helping you.Then, I'll follow it up with more info (more words, yay) on what you can expect from the blog!
I used to be one of those kids you saw parents telling their children not to be like. When I was younger, I decided not to attend school unless I felt like it (which was never), I stole my mom's car, and generally caused my family lots of frustration trying to figure out how the hell to help me.
I was lucky that my family cared enough about me to take action continuously. I'm quite familiar with the mental health system in Colorado - psychologists were unable to provide results. They tried more discipline, less, and then finally they decided to sign me away to someone (or somewhere) that promised to "fix" me once and for all!
Yep, I'm the rouge teenager whose family actually followed through on those threats to send me away to boarding school.
Not just any school. A place where you need to ASK to use the bathroom. You couldn't close doors completely, and you were always, ALWAYS accompanied by an adult. A place where you couldn't run away from, because how could you? You were 2 hours driving time (if you had a lead foot) from any major city, in an environment that is so known for it's heat and dryness that no one would dare try to traverse alone, on foot, without water.
Death Valley. No, that is not a colloquial nickname for it, that is the official name. I can't make this up, people.
Here, I went through the most emotionally intense experience of my life - at first against my will, then gradually by choice.
I'll spare you the nitty-gritty and I will sum that experience up like this:
We were taught the key to changing your life, accountability, and we were taught about how belief affects behavior. Through two years of crying, frustration, nights wishing I could simply look up at the stars without asking permission, I decided that I would graduate, I would reach my potential in life, and that my purpose is to be a hero by creating a path to my dreams while inspiring others to do the same. I used the healthy coping tools I was taught through the program and a new belief system about the world to change myself.
At this point in time, it has been 9 years since I graduated that program. After I graduated, I went to college (Regis University!) and graduated with honors. When I reflect on that experience, I appreciate how much time I took to learn about what would help me become the person I want to be. I appreciate all of the people who helped me along the way. Today, I can say wholeheartedly that I am lucky that I went to boarding school and even lucky that I experienced a tumultuous adolescence.
The lessons that I learned during the program have shaped my adult life. During and even after college, I have focused on how I can be more. How I can grow, and how I want to impact other people. However, I haven't always acted on my desires, because of....
Fear! (dun dun duuuunnnnn)
I wasn't afraid of anything physical but I was afraid. Afraid of what people thought of me, afraid that I wouldn't be able to make a difference, afraid that I would never be successful. And so, I fell into a trap that many people in life fall into. I didn't act.
I dreamed without doing. I believed without being and I prayed without practicing. (can you tell I love alliteration?)
Over the last few years, I have sought out information from dozens of personal development books, youtube videos, workshops, random friends, etc. on how to grow. I became curious about the universe, spirituality, consciousness, intuition, and my place in the world. I'm proud to say that I have put in the practice to take action on my dreams. I started small by practicing self-love tips, I actually applied the principles I read about in books, and I remembered what I went through during my time in boarding school.
I am confident enough to tell you today that I have been on an amazing journey toward my dreams and I am proud of myself. I have grown exponentially during the past several years and I realize that I'm actually the shit! I have friends who love me, a career I appreciate, a family that has forgiven me and is proud for me, and the determination to strive for even more - to achieve the purpose I identified while I was in boarding school.
My purpose is to be a hero by creating a path to my dreams while inspiring others to do the same. I realize now that I am my own hero - there is no one to save me. I am accountable for my life and what I experience. My dreams are to help you see that you are your own hero as well. You are the only one who can change your life. Many of us want so much but sell ourselves short because of fear - we don't take action because of how stupid we would feel if we failed. We don't speak our truth because we're afraid of what people think of us. We don't live our lives the way we want because we're afraid we won't do it "right."
We let fear drive our lives as we passively wait for someone to pull us over and say, "Excuse me, ma'am/sir, your dream life is over here waiting for you. Step out of the car and let me carry you over here to paradise."
No! I'm here to show you that you don't need to get rid of fear - it has a great place in our lives and it's great at helping us consider the best course of action to take - but it should not be calling the shots!
You can go with your fear - you don't have to get rid of it. Like that friend who complains about your driving - she may not be comfortable but they're still in the car.
Fear is a great friend because it doesn't leave you. It helps you to prepare and keeps you on your toes.
You're not going to get the job you want, be as vulnerable as you want, or take any action you want without fear.
You're just going to go with fear. Hold it's hand and lead it forward. And then, you'll go together like apples and cinnamon, or chocolate chips and cookie dough.
And you will then have another sidekick on your journey, because action accompanied by fear has a name, and one that we all admire.
Courage.
I'm excited to accompany you on your journey as you develop the courage to go forward with your fear, and the effect of your actions then will radiate to show all those who know you what is possible for you, and for them as well.
And that's why you're with Radiant Courage! Yay!
Thank you infinitely for reading this far and I look forward to connecting with you!
Sincerely,
Valencia